INTERREG: Environment - Improving Water Quality in Shared Transitional Waters

Overview

The result indicator: The percentage of the shared transitional waters in the region with good or high quality. The current baseline is 0% and the target for 2023 is 100%.

The output indicators:

• 10,000 people benefiting from improved wastewater treatment
• 2 sewage network and wastewater treatment projects completed to improve water quality in shared transitional waters

Project Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria will be used:

a. Contribution of the project to the defined results and outputs of the programme. Your project must provide specific information on how it will meet the output indicator targets in full. Applicants who cannot deliver the output indicator targets in full need not apply.

b. Quality of the project design and in particular;

i. All projects activities must align with the EU Water Framework Directive requirements;

ii. Activities involving urban wastewater treatment plants must have a strategy for the disposal of sewage sludge;

iii. Climate change impacts on wastewater treatment should be given attention, in particular in terms of storm water management;

iv. Alternative innovative solutions should be taken into account where appropriate (e.g. in particular in remote areas/small villages);

v. The financial sustainability of projects has to be considered and pertinent information such as proposed tariffs should be given due consideration;

vi. Operational costs (including maintenance) have to be considered;

vii. Since wastewater collection and treatment is not compulsory below 2 000 population equivalent, any public investment there should be duly justified technically and economically, compared to the alternative of individual septic tanks; and

viii. Proposed investments have to be able to meet current and future needs, without becoming oversized.

c. Quality of project team and implementation arrangements;

d. Value for money;

e. Quality of cross border co-operation with demonstrable added value;

f. Contribution towards sustainable development;

g. Contribution towards equality

Eligible Region

The eligible area for the INTERREG VA Programme is:

• Northern Ireland;
• The Border Counties of Ireland (Monaghan, Leitrim, Cavan, Louth, Sligo and Donegal); and
• Western Scotland (Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire mainland; South Ayrshire; Lochaber, Skye & Lochalsh, Arran & Cumbrae and Argyll & Bute and Eilean Siar/Western Isles).

What is the theme “Improve Water Quality in Transitional Waters” going to achieve?

Within the programme area, Ireland and Northern Ireland share the following transitional water bodies;

1. Carlingford Lough (located between County Louth in Ireland and County Down in Northern Ireland).
2. Lough Foyle (located between County Londonderry in Northern Ireland and County Donegal in Ireland).

Anticipated Actions

It is anticipated that the programme will fund the following types of actions;

Research and development in wastewater treatment technologies, including the use of sustainable technologies with direct relevance to the shared transitional waters. The creation of demonstration sites in the catchment areas to illustrate best practice wastewater treatment methodologies. Sewerage network and wastewater treatment projects to protect and enhance the WFD classification of the transitional waters.

Budget and co-financing rate

€30m million ERDF is available under this call. Successful projects will be offered a grant in Euro.

The maximum intervention rate that can be applied is 85 %

This means that applicants are required to bring a minimum of up to 15% match funding to the eligible project costs over the lifetime of the project. Please see programme rules for further details on match funding

However, please be aware the intervention rate (grant rate) may decrease depending upon the state aid implications of your project. It is the responsibility of the Lead Partner to ensure that State Aid cover and compliance is in place. The application should clearly outline the process to ensure and demonstrate State Aid compliance.

The level of grant aid may also be adjusted to take due account of anticipated future revenuestreams. Please consult the Programme rules for further details.